The Lytterlton Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1868.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2208, 18 January 1868, Page 2

The Lytterlton Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1868.

One of the first and most essential provisions for a good sysfcom of prison discipline is a proper classification of the prisoners. This may, of course, primarily include a distribution according to the nature of the crimes they have committed} but it must also, and to a great extent, bo based upon their conduct after their entrance into prison. We are glad to observe that Mr Justice Richmond, one of the Government Commissioners appointed to report on the general subject of prison discipline has, in his address.to the Grand Jury at Hokitika, made pointed reference to this topic It must, however, be distinctly kept ia view, that any proper classification of prisoners requires a very considerable preliminary outlay, and that it makes the formation of a great central establishment almost a necessity. There is another principle which we hope to see insisted upon in every practicable way. It is, that prisoners should be distinctly made to under, stand that they are expected to work for their livelihood, and that, as far as possible, they will be compelled to support themselves. It is not mainly upon economical grounds that we press this, although these are not to be despised. There ought to be a careful avoidance of any countenance to the idea that the well-doing members of society are to be held liable for the maintenance of the evil-doers. But the principle we are now asserting is still more valuable because of its wholesome reformatory effect upon criminals themselves. No one who has formed aiy acquaintance, by reading or otherwise, with the state of feeling among the criminal classes of society, will question the fact that it would have a considerable effect even in deterring them from the commission of crime. Nothing is usually more foreign to their habits or more repulsive to their feelings than a course of regular, steady industry. Many a time do they confess that some of their minor offences are committed in order to secure admission to prison during cold weather, under the existing indulgent system. The knowledge that what awaited them in prison was a system providing very plain food, and constant labour, would assuredly not be without its effect.

We should most distinctly protest against any attempt to introduce severe corporal punishments, or bodily privations. Care must be taken not to fall into the extreme of severity, though it were only to avoid the inevitable revulsion of sentiment that would follow. But we would have a low scale of dietary provided, based upon, a sufficient supply of such plain, clean, wholesome .food as a hungry man accustomed to labour would be glad to partake of. The cost of this should be set down against the prisoner, with the assurance that nothing further would be provided until he had by his work cleared off this charge and provided the means to purchase a somewhat more liberal allowance. The prisoner should also be made to understand that all his earnings would be his own, that he would have a certain amount expended on his food and clothing, and that in the event of his shewing a continuance of good conduct, even some luxuries, such as tobacco, or tea, mijght be> allowed, while the balance would be retained until the expiry of his sentence, when it would be handed over to him. The only exception that might be made to this would be in the case of prisoners, associated together under certain advantageous circumstances, for work, when it would be both right and conducive to good order and habits, that the injuries done by any one of the gang should be made good by a general charge laid upon the whole. While such a system would exercise a vigorous check upon the recklessness and insolence of the worst kind of criminals, it would have many beneficial effects upon the rest. The daily fatigues of their toil, and their coarse though clean diet, would come as stant reminders of their misconduct. The gradual alleviation of their lot would be a strong inducement to industry and good behaviour. The advantages of instruction, of books, and of attendance at religious worship should be removed altogether out of the list of obligatory duties or tasks, and placed in the category of favours dependent upou good conduct. We have no faith in the pseudo-religious sentimentality which endeavours to : force these things upon men of depraved and hardened minds as means to purchase certain indulgences. The retention of a certain portion of each prisoner's earnings, for the purpose of handing it over to him at the end of his term, is one of the surest methods to engage his perseverance in good conduct. For, of course, it would be well understood that flagrant misconduct, or attempts to escape would forfeit it altogether. Nor must we set a low value upon the effect oh the habits, convic tions, and experience of men brought for years under the forced training of steady work, and of a sober and regular manner of life. The judicious harshness, or at least firmness, of such a system would be in reality the greatest;mercy to the criminals themselves. .

3?or those who proved inoorrigiblo, or who, despite their previous experience of such a training system, found their way back to prison, there ought to be a separate prison and a moro rigorous system provided. All the means should be employed, which, while not inconsistent with humanity, would yet provide for their secure restraint, and save the cost of.many keepers to the colony. It might even be desirable, considering the comparatively Bmall uumber of such convicts as woujd be found, that arrangements should be made with the neighbouring Australian colonies, for the estabish. menfc of one grand prison, which might serve for all of this class, Hinders Tsland, or the southern, portion of Stewart'B Island might form a suitable station,